Thirsty Moose Taproom Executive Chef John Harrington (kneeling) dons the first place blue ribbons awarded for first place in both Judges and People's Choice categories at the 2013 Chili Cook-Off. He is surrounded by enthusiastic Thirsty Moose supporters. The annual event was hosted by Prescott Park Arts Festival and Strawbery Banke Museum. (Dumont/Democrat photo)

PORTSMOUTH — Prescott Park Arts Festival, partnering with Strawbery Banke, drew thousands of hungry visitors to the museum lawn area known as Puddle Dock where a dozen area restaurants vied for the first place prize for best chili.

The Thirsty Moose Taphouse took first place in both categories; Judges Choice and People's Choice. The annual event, sponsored by WHEB and Red Hook Brewery, saw even larger crowds this year, partially due to the running of the 1st Annual Memorial Bridge Road Race.

The Old Salt from Hampton, who took 2nd place in the People's Choice category, has participated every year of the cook off. Christian Kent, chef and kitchen manager, says they do it because “it's fun, and we all have a great time doing it.”

They offer this chili, along with a gluten-free version, as a regular menu item. Kent says the recipe has been a staple at the tavern since “the beach days,” long before their current location at Lamie's Inn.

The sampling began at 11:30 a.m., where hundreds of people were lined up for each restaurant's booth. The three judges, local food expert and entrepreneur Susan Tuveson; publisher of Taste magazine, Keith Lemerise; and Green Monkey guru Deb Weeks made the rounds tasting each entry.

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A basket of peppers adorns the table of Serenity Market and Café from Rye. (Dumont/Democrat photo)

Weeks, with over 10 years on the Portsmouth restaurant scene, was performing her duties for the first time as judge at the Chili Cook-Off.

“Chili is a comfort food for me,” she explained, “so I jumped at the chance when they asked me.”

Weeks added, “We look for 3 main criteria when making our choice; flavor profile, texture and presentation.” She always enjoys seeing who wins the “People's Choice” award because the typical consumer is looking for classic chili. She was pleased upon hearing the People's Choice Award went to the Judge's top choice as well.

Doug Mulford, marketing rep for Red Hook, was busy with his crew under a large tent serving three varieties of draft beer from their specially built trailer; a veritable dream come true for beer aficionados. They were so busy, PPAF Executive Director Ben Anderson and General Manager John Moynihan were pressed into service pouring cups of beer to satisfy the thirsty crowd.

Lora and Kevin Haase drove from Raymond for the second year in a row. Holding her cup of steaming chili, Lora declared “We love chili so much, we even went to the chili festival in Exeter last Saturday.”

Fat Belly's from Bow St. in Portsmouth, went through 30 gallons of chili in 45 minutes. Kitchen manager John Hobbs said there were many more people here this year than last. Hobbs explained that the chili recipe they offered today is the original recipe they've been serving since they opened 9 years ago. It is served on their chili cheese fries, cheese burgers and nachos.